Looking back at the Summer Nationals

Thursday

Jun 27, 2013 at 12:03 AMJun 27, 2013 at 12:12 AM

Rocky Ragusa's Speed Week column

Rocky Ragusa

There were 46 UMP late model drivers from eight states taking part in this year's Summer National race last weekend at Fairbury American Legion Speedway. Walker Arthur made the long haul from Forrest, the one in Virginia not down the road on U.S. 24. Arthur won his C Main, but failed to advance enough into the B Main, and move into the feature. Brian Shirley made an infrequent Summer National start. The defending champion drove Tim Lance's backup car, finished sixth, and was the race's fast qualifier at a 12.547. Shirley is serving as crew chief to Lance in cars that he prepared. Billy Moyer had planned to be at Fairbury but had an asthma attack the previous night at Tri- City Speedway. After making the feature there, Moyer became ill and the team headed back to Arkansas. After experiencing motor problems in his heat race, Derek Chandler used McKay Wenger's car in the B-Main (taking second) and finished 22nd in the feature to keep the point battle tight in the late model class. Farmer City Raceway promoter Don Hammer made the trip to Fairbury. Driving a Bob Pierce car, Hammer failed to make the show. Jason Feger was seen in the pit area helping various drivers. His suspension ends in August. Ryan Unzicker, the race winner, notched his fifth career Summer National feature win. Lance Dehm and Dave Porth had a classic duel in the modified feature race. Porth tried several times to get by Dehm, but on this night, Dehm came out ahead. There were 33 UMP Modified drivers who took time trials for the $1,200 top prize for the Summit Modified National race. Nick Wallrich claimed his second fast time of the year. Wallrich finished second in his heat race, but was involved in an early race accident, to end his night. Gary Turpin ended a streak of bad luck and took fifth in the feature. Seventeen UMP Sportsman drivers raced in the 15-lap feature. Richie Rich, in his uniquely designed car, won his second race of the year. Tim Bohm has shown improvement this year in his sportsman car. Bohm edged Dustin Mounce in a good clean battle for third and was the hard charger of the race. A good field of 29 UMP Street Stock drivers showed up trying for a spot in the 15-lap feature race. In his heat race, Rick Thomas was involved in a racing incident and had radiator damage. Justin Nelson offered Thomas the use of his car so Thomas could stay in the point race. Early race leader Terry Miller was involved in an accident in the closing laps. Miller and Jeremy Nichols both had to go to the rear of the field and handed the lead to Alex Clubb. Clubb went on to pick up his third win of the year. The defending track champion, Clubb was somewhat displeased with his competitors addressed the crowd in victory lane. "It's been nuts," Clubb said. "Ever since we won the track championship and started doing good, everyone hates us. Everybody tries to drive us dirty. "I don't care. We are going to keep on going. We are just going for wins. We don't care about points. Everybody can come over and run their mouths to us in the pits or stands. Whatever, we don't care. We keep winning and are going to keep winning. Go ahead and wreck us, cause that's what you are trying to do." Race Director Matt Curl was very happy with being able to get the race in and with those who helped pull them off. " What an awesome night," Curl said. "The fans and drivers stuck with us, all day long. What can you say about our track prep crew. They have been out here all week long. We had rain on Friday and it drizzled today, until 3:30. The guys did an unbelievable job at getting the track race ready. "There were over 130 cars in the pits area and between 3,500-4,000 race fans. It was great to see the fans jumping up and down during the late model feature. I am proud to be apart of this. It's not just one person. You have to have a leader, but it takes a big team to make for a great program." This Saturday night will be a regular night of racing and an "Alkota Keep It Clean" series race. Gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps start at 5:50, qualifying starts at 6:30 and racing will follow. Admission is $10 for adults and children under 12 are free, with a paying adult.Lincoln Speedway This Friday night, the Raminator Monster Truck will be on hand along with a full show of pro late models, modified, street stocks and hornets. The UMP Summer National late models will run 60 laps for $10,000 on Sunday. The Summit Modified Nationals will also feature a 60-lap challenge with $2,000 going to the winner. Kenny Wallace will be racing his modified along with Justin Allgaier. Allgaier will be signing autographs from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. and racing starts at 7. General admission is $25 for adults.Kankakee County Speedway The Illinois Racing Series Midgets competition scheduled for Friday has been cancelled. There will be racing in all six of Kankakee's weekly classes. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., hot laps start at 6, with qualifying at 6:30 and racing at 7:30.Farmer City Raceway Non-wing sprints will join late models, modified and street stocks this Friday at the Fairgrounds. Adult admission is $12 and children under 12 are free. Hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m., qualifying is at 7 and racing will follow. Many have reported the track has been quite racy and 20-25 late models have been showing up.LaSalle Speedway The World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series returns to the speedway this Friday night. Joining the "Greatest Show on Dirt" will be the Illinois Lightning Sprints. Gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30, qualifying at 7 and the racing starts at 7:30. There will not be any racing this Saturday. The next race will be the July 4, Summer National race, along with a full show and fireworks.Grundy County Speedway The 1/3-mile paved oval, located at the fairgrounds in Morris, will feature a full show on Friday. The late model class has had nine races and eight feature winners. The late models will have a 70-lap feature this week. Adult admission is $12, seniors $10, and children under 11 are free.Macon Speedway Along with fireworks, the Big 10 Late Model series and modified class will run a pair of 40-lap features, in addition to a full show, this Saturday.Vermilion County Speedway An AMA sanctioned Flat Track Motorcycle and ATV racing program will take place Friday night, at the fairgrounds. Gate open at 3, practice at 5, and racing starts at 7. Admission is $10. Summer Nationals will return on July 14.Peoria Speedway Rain forced the postponement of Monday's Summer National race at Peoria Speedway. Track and UMP officials are working on trying to secure an open date. The track will have a full race program this Saturday. Practice starts at 5:30 p.m. and racing will follow.Pontiac's Route 66 Speedway John Mehn is on a roll with three straight wins in the stock medium class in racing at the kart track located on route 66 between Pontiac and Chenoa. Kart counts have picked up as there have been races for four classes. Help spread the word and support the track. Kart racing returns Sunday with gates opening at 10:30 a.m. Practice starts at noon and racing begins at 1 p.m.